Bird flu hits Assam again

BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Guwahati December 04, 2008, 0:13 IST

Following the confirmation of presence of H5N1 virus or bird flu among domestic poultry in Kamrup district, the Assam government has prohibited sale of poultry and eggs in the district.

With around 5 lakh people associated with the poultry business in Assam, of which nearly half are marginal farmers, the reappearance of bird flu is expected to once again hit the poultry sector of the state.

Earlier this year, the states poultry sector was hit due to culling and ban on sale of poultry products following the outbreak of the disease among poultries in neighbouring state of West Bengal.

An office bearer of All Assam Poultry Farmers' Association (AAPFA) said that outbreak of bird flu for the second time would wipe out the marginal farmers from the industry, as it will be difficult for them to bounce back with scarce resources, and will set the stage for entry of big and organised players.

He admitted that there is a decline in sale of poultry products across the state as bird flu panic has gripped among the people.

Though he could not spell out the exact loss the poultry sector has incurred in the last few days or is expected to incur in the coming days, he said "if the disease spreads to others areas, the loss would be huge."

He said that the wholesale price of broiler chicken has fallen from Rs. 50-55 to Rs. 35-40.

Nonetheless, he added that the members of the association are cooperating with the culling personnel.

He demanded adequate compensation from the government as poultry business is the mainstay for many marginal farmers in the state.